Ternstroemia gymnanthera `Grevan`

ABSTRACT

A new variety of Japanese Ternstroemia plant, Ternstroemia gymnanthera `Grevan`, which is particularly characterized by its compact, mounding-spreading, and symmetrical growth habit, and which is distinguishable from standard Japanese Ternstroemia plants which demonstrate an upright-oval growth habit and irregular branching habit.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention relates to the discovery and asexual propagationof a new and distinct cultivar of Ternstroemia qymnanthera, a member ofthe Theaceae family that is commonly known as Japanese Ternstroemia, andoften referred to as Cleyera. The new variety of Ternstroemiagymnanthera has been given the cultivar name `Grevan`.

The new variety was discovered by Jim Van Antwerp in the summer of 1991,amongst a cultivated planting of seedling Japanese Ternstroemia plantsat Greenleaf Nursery in El Campo, Tex. The parent variety of JapaneseTernstroemia is unknown, as there is currently only one other namedcultivar, Ternstroemia gymnanthera `Variegata`, in horticulturalliterature. The parent species is referred to herein as "standard" or"traditional" Japanese Ternstroemia.

The new `Grevan` plant was recognized as being very different inappearance from traditional Japanese Ternstroemia plants, and wasparticularly selected for its unique, compact form and growth habit thatis more spreading than that of the parent species. The botanicalcharacteristics of the new `Grevan` variety are substantially the sameas the parent species, but for those characteristics contributing to thenew plant's appearance, namely, the smaller and narrow elliptic-shapedleaves and the distinctive compact, mounding and symmetrical growthhabit exhibited by the `Grevan` plants. The dense, self-branched growthhabit and low profile of the new `Grevan` variety give it severaldesirable characteristics for ornamental landscape use. The new varietyis readily distinguishable from traditional or standard JapaneseTernstroemia plants, which demonstrate an upright-oval growth habit andan irregular branching habit.

The new `Grevan` variety was first asexually propagated by Jim VanAntwerp in the summer of 1991 at the same nursery in which it wasdiscovered. The new variety has shown to be stable in its distinguishingcharacteristics over several generations, through successive asexualpropagations using vegetative cuttings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographic drawings illustrate in color the `Grevan`cultivar as grown in a nursery in El Campo, Tex., and also show thecomparison between the new `Grevan`variety and the parent species, aswell as the coloration of new and mature foliage on both the new andparent plants. Except as noted, the photographs are of plants grownoutdoors and in containers above ground.

FIG. 1 shows a comparison between a traditional Japanese Ternstroemiaplant (left) and the new `Grevan` variety (right) in the spring. The twoplants were grown under culturally identical conditions; however, thestandard variety received shearings to improve fullness and structurewhile the new `Grevan` variety received no shearing. Both plants areabout three years old and were grown from cuttings.

FIG. 2 shows the foliage of the new `Grevan` variety.

FIG. 3 shows a one year old landscape planting of two `Grevan` plants.

FIG. 4 shows the top side of immature foliage of the new `Grevan`variety, superimposed by the matching R.H.S. color card of theYellow-Green Group.

FIG. 5 shows the top side of mature foliage of the new `Grevan` variety,superimposed by the matching R.H.S. color card of the Yellow-GreenGroup.

FIG. 6 shows the top side of immature foliage of a traditional JapaneseTernstroemia plant, superimposed by the matching R.H.S. color card ofthe Greyed-Orange Group.

FIG. 7 shows the top side of mature foliage of a traditional JapaneseTernstroemia plant, superimposed by the matching R.H.S. color card ofthe Yellow-Green Group.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

The following detailed description of the new Ternstroemia gymnanthera`Grevan` plant is based upon observations made of the plants grown undercommercial, wholesale nursery production practices and in landscapeplantings in El Campo, Tex. It is believed that this description willapply to `Grevan` cultivar plants grown in similar conditions of soiland climate elsewhere.

Throughout this specification, color names beginning with a small lettersignify that the name of that color as used in common speech is aptlydescriptive. Color names beginning with a capital letter designate colorvalues based on the R.H.S. Colour Chart published by The RoyalHorticultural Society of London, England.

Name: Ternstroemia gymnanthera `Grevan`.

Origin: Seedling of unknown parentage.

Parentage: Unknown variety of Ternstroemia gymnanthera plants.

Hardiness: USDA Zone 7; typical of the species.

Growth Habit: Compact/dense; self-branching; symmetrical; more spreadingthan that of the parent species.

Texture: Medium; more compact and denser of branching and canopy thanthat of the parent species.

Size: Mature height is anticipated to be about 100-120 cm. with a widthof about 100-120 cm. This is typically shorter and proportionally widerthan the species as a function of lesser terminal growth and denserbranching as compared to the species.

Foliage:

Type.--Evergreen.

Arrangement.--Irregularly, spirally arranged around the apical end ofthe stem of each growth flush. The lower end of each stem is leaflesswith widely spaced blind leaf nodes. Leaf and blind leaf node spacing issimilarly irregular on the `Grevan` variety and the parent species. Thenumber of branches per growth flush vary from about 1 to 7, which issimilar to the parent species. However, the length of each growth flushis shorter than (about 30-50% as long as) the growth flushes of theparent species, thereby giving the plant a fuller appearance.

Leaf insertion.--Petiolate.

Petiole.--Length: about 4-6 mm. (parent species about 4-6 mm.)Thickness: about 2 mm. (parent species about 2 mm.) Color: above: Red46A (parent species Red 46A). below: Yellow-Green 146D (parent speciesRed 46A fading with age to Yellow-Green 146D). The color on theunderside of the young petiole of the parent species fades quickly withage from Red 46A to Yellow-Green 146D. The red pigment of the top sideof the petiole of both plants also fades with age, but persists aboutone (1) year longer than the underside pigment.

Leaf shape.--Narrow elliptic.

Leaf tip.--Acute.

Leaf base.--Narrow attenuate.

Leaf margin.--Entire.

Leaf venation.--Pinnate.

Leaf surface above.--Lustrous, leathery.

Leaf surface below.--Glabrous, leathery.

Mature leaf length.--Shorter than parent species; about 45-60 mm.

Mature leaf width.--Narrower than parent species; about 10-20 mm.

Bark: Typical of the species; no noticeable difference in color orappearance of bark of more recent growth; bark color darkens with age,staring and varying within the Greyed-Green Group (197) and eventuallydarkening to the Brown Group (200); the bark starts smooth and roughensslightly with age, but has not been observed to fissure or exfoliate.

Flowers: Color and size typical of the species; white to cream in color,perfect, borne singly on about 10-15 mm. cream peduncle emerging fromleaf axils and blind leaf nodes; flowers about 8-10 mm. wide; flowersobserved October/November, contrary to literature which refers toflowers observed in May/June.

Fruit: None observed to date, but expected to be typical of the species.

Color:

                  TABLE 1                                                         ______________________________________                                                              Standard                                                          `Grevan`    Japanese Ternstroemia                                   ______________________________________                                        New Foliage Yellow-Green 152A                                                                           Greyed-Orange 166A                                  -Top:                                                                         New Foliage Yellow-Green 146C                                                                           Yellow-Green 146D                                   -Bottom:                                                                      Mature Foliage                                                                            Yellow-Green 147A                                                                           Yellow-Green 147A                                   -Top:                                                                         Mature Foliage                                                                            Yellow-Green 146B                                                                           Yellow-Green 147C                                   -Bottom:                                                                      Mature Stem:                                                                              Brown 200D    Brown 200B                                          ______________________________________                                    

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Ternstroemia gymnantheraplant named `Grevan`, as herein illustrated and described.